Here’s a classic by Robert Frost, apropos of the weather more than the holiday, but lovely nonetheless. Whose woods these are I think I know. His house is in the village though; He will not see me stopping here To watch his woods fill up with snow. My little horse must think it queer To …
Author: John Stevenson
Facing fear with forthrightness
Professional relationships, like personal ones, have their seasons. There is flow and there is friction. There are highs and there are lows. But with the right foundation, any relationship can withstand the test of difficult times. It’s no surprise that personal fear plays a part. Patrick Lencioni,in his book “Getting Naked” outlines three main fears that …
How to quit complaining
I can complain with the best of them. I’m really good at finding fault and calling it out. But, oh, is it costly. The energy and resources I’ve consumed by complaining have no doubt cost me happiness and success over the years. Moreover, it distracts and takes away from more important functions like learning and …
How to keep your cool
Tense conversations can go one of two ways: they can get worse or they can get better. It’s easy to make them worse. When the amygdala, the emotional control center of the brain, gets overwhelmed it yields to the “fight” response. Physical defense mechanisms kick in and the ability to think clearly goes out the …
A simple thank you
I’d like to extend a simple thank you to all of you who allow this note into your Inbox. Thank you, Readers, for letting me share an idea or musing each week. Thank you, Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders, for sharing your insights, experiences, and advice with me, and for providing encouragement and inspiration to fellow entrepreneurs. Thank you, …
Getting good at failure
Fear of failure is one of the most debilitating personality characteristics – and biggest roadblocks – to real success and satisfaction. When fear of failure paralyzes, it prevents the realization of potential, which is the biggest failure of all. But failure, when embraced and used productively, can be healthy. It can motivate, it can spark invention, …
Make time for mission moments
Waking up each morning raring to go to work can be hard. And it can get harder the longer you work for a single organization in a single role. Research shows that our brains work less as a task becomes more familiar. We disconnect. We start to forget about how the work we’re doing enriches …
Why self-awareness is the key to everything
Saying the wrong thing, at the wrong time, in the wrong place is probably one of the most destructive and life-limiting mistakes any of us can make. We embarrass ourselves and others. We react with extreme levels of emotion. We break bonds of trust and respect. And these mistakes of saying or doing the wrong …
Why hire people smarter than you
Micromanaging kills morale and productivity. While it may feel good to a manager, micromanaging just doesn’t work long-term. Trying to do everyone else’s job is a good way to lose your own – and good people – at the same time. This is why the best bosses always try to hire people that are smarter than themselves. …
The money will follow
Seventeenth century physician and philosopher John Locke said “All wealth is the product of labor.” While it is a fairly obvious and simple statement, the concept is often forgotten in today’s business climate of billion-dollar unicorns. Making money is important, but it should not be the primary goal of a career. When money is the …